Hello, Apple, but don't call us: How to NOT register?

I was wondering if there was any known way to avoid sending resgitration information to Apple upon first installation of a new operating system on an Apple machine.

I remember back when opening up my iBook clamshell with OS 9 for the first time that there was the choice of "register later" and then one could simply delete the alias "Register with Apple" (which showed up saved in hard drive or on the desktop?) before connecting to the net.

Do any of you who prefer to remain completely private and not send out any information at all happen to know how to do avoid this with Tiger's installation?

Just so you know, registering is very beneficial. There is a check box you can uncheck if you don't want Apple to contact you by e-mail to tell you about any new products. I could be wrong, but I've never heard of Apple calling you by phone or ever selling your information to other people who would call you. To the best of my knowledge and experience, it's a very safe thing.

Why, pray tell, would one not wish to register with Apple? Without registering, at least a new system, you will not get Apple Support. Also, it is not as though Apple solicits you via phone for anything, nor do they abuse your e-mail. The only e-mails I receive from Apple are information about hardware upgrades, and it takes less than 7 seconds to remove myself from the email list, however I don't because I actually like getting the email.

Why, pray tell, would one not wish to register with Apple? Without registering, at least a new system, you will not get Apple Support. Also, it is not as though Apple solicits you via phone for anything, nor do they abuse your e-mail. The only e-mails I receive from Apple are information about hardware upgrades, and it takes less than 7 seconds to remove myself from the email list, however I don't because I actually like getting the email.

Register, don't be an idiot.

TEG

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If I reinstall the OS I don't bother the second time. Should I reregister?

. . . would you be able edit the user profile later that will be set up based upon this initial registration information?

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I haven't used the Setup Assistant in a while, so I don't recall if you can change the user name it selects for you, after entering your ("bogus") details.

If you can't, the only things you might need to change afterwards would be the long and short user names. You can change the long user name easily enough in System Preferences, the short user name can't be changed there.

I haven't used the Setup Assistant in a while, so I don't recall if you can change the user name it selects for you, after entering your ("bogus") details.

If you can't, the only things you might need to change afterwards would be the long and short user names. You can change the long user name easily enough in System Preferences, the short user name can't be changed there.

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Where is it that you can change the short user name? And won't this cause problems with the "keychain" ?

UID = Unique Identifier (or User Identifier, depends on whom you ask). Each valid user is assigned one in the UNIX world. The default admin account created at OS X initial boot has a UID of 501. Each subsequent user created follows sequence, 502, 503, etc.

For various reasons that I'm too lazy to go into, one should not change the short username. One should simply create a new account with the requisite information, and move the data accordingly.

If you are worried about personal information being sent via the internet from your Mac, well I suggest that you never plug it into the network. Or use bogus information in the registration field. IMO, you're being a bit paranoid, but that's entirely up to you.

Just so you know, registering is very beneficial. There is a check box you can uncheck if you don't want Apple to contact you by e-mail to tell you about any new products. I could be wrong, but I've never heard of Apple calling you by phone or ever selling your information to other people who would call you. To the best of my knowledge and experience, it's a very safe thing.

Daniel.

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Actually, Apple called me out of the blue shortly before my one year warrenty expired on my G5. This was my cell phone no less. They were trying to sell me Applecare.

So, they DO call you by phone for no reason other than to sell you Applecare. Just FYI.

1 Type the name you want to use for your user account in the name field
2 Hit Command + Q and select Skip
3 Continue as normal setting up your user accounts passwords etc...

OS X doesn't make up accounts for you - It will start by using the name you put in the name field of registration, eg if you put "bob smith" it will start to create a user account "bob smith" with short name "bobsmith" but you get to change any details on the next page. You do not need to register for anything. I don't bother because it is just another step between me and my machine.

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